Six Democratic senators have introduced the Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act of 2023.  The intent is to promote urban and suburban farming through increased financial aid and research.

The proposed legislation would allow USDA service centers located in urban areas to deliver technical assistance, enable cooperative agreements and provide access to grant funds relating to urban farming, composting and initiatives to reduce food waste.

Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), Chair of the Nutrition Sub-Committee, considers that the bill will increase availability of vegetables in existing food deserts and would support underserved farmers cultivating community gardens.

Co-sponsor, Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) stated, “This Bill will provide tools and resources to support urban agriculture, from research to technical assistance and direct investment.”  The Bill would provide for mandatory funding at $50 million annually.  Previously the House and Senate Appropriations Committees cut all funding for local food supply chains in urban communities.

There is no evidence that availability of fresh fruit and vegetables contributes to improved health in urban communities and especially among the disadvantaged who do not have access to supermarkets. It is questioned whether public funds will in fact make any practical difference to the nutrition of underserved communities.  The record of production from undeveloped areas by community groups does not provide a suitable return on either the time or resources expended.  Alternative methods of distribution and sale of fruits and vegetables produced under intensive agriculture and transported to areas of undersupply would be more beneficial than attempts at local cultivation.

Any program to produce vegetables for local consumption must be preceded by intensive education to change eating habits.